The potential benefits of satellite communications development have been recognized since the notion of a geostationary "space platform" was proposed by Arthur C. Clarke in 1945. Although there have been examples of developmental applications of satellite technology, the promise has been slow in being fulfilled. The history of the application of this technology for developmental purposes falls into three phases: from Clarke's 1945 proposal until about 1970 may be considered the "conjectural" era; from approximately 1971 until 1977 may be considered the "experimental" era; and the present may be called the "operational" era, as satellite services for developmental purposes are beginning to be offered on commercial satellites. Although this classification suggests a progression, progress, in fact, has been sporadic. To understand why the promise of communication satellites seems to have been delayed, if not denied, a number of factors must be considered: application, the development sector, economics, the telecommunications sector, organization, and politics. By the end of the decade, communications researchers will be better able to determine whether or not the developmental potential of communication satellites has been realized or indeed if it can be realized. In the meantime, researchers can assist planners in applying the lessons learned both from experiences with satellite research to date and from the introduction of other communications innovations. (HTH)